Fruits for Minnesota

The fruit cultivars listed here are recommended on the basis of availability and winter hardiness for Minnesota (see map). To improve productivity of apples, pears, apricots, hybrid plums, and cherry plums include at least two cultivars of each fruit in the planting since each cultivar requires pollen from a different cultivar for fruit set. Some hybrid plums do not have viable pollen and cannot be used as a pollen source. European plums, tart cherries, and Nanking cherries are self-fruitful: no pollen source is needed. Small fruits such as gooseberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes are usually self-fruitful. Blueberries have increased yield if more than one cultivar is planted.